I can get dimensional matters confused and, when I do, it can lead to misunderstanding.
Take if I were to say it’s good to be empty.
It’s good to be empty of some things but not of all.
It’s good to be empty of thoughts while I meditate. But not of love and joy.
Or it’s good to be still. But not still from the flow of love.
Love is never still. Love must flow. If we try to contain it, it disappears.
In fact clearing the mind of thoughts allows the space for the rise of love and joy.
Thoughts exist on one dimension – I think, the Second. Real love and joy live on much higher dimensions.
The aim is to leave our attachment to the one behind, to increase our enjoyment of the other.
There always seems to be an exception to every rule (and God is the exception to every rule).
Only ultimate Emptiness, outside of dimensionality, is valuable for being empty of all things, as far as I know. In every other dimension, one wouldn’t want to be empty of love or the divine qualities.
I’ve given the example before of how dimensionality can intentionally be mixed up to create paradox and then realizational breakthrough.
Consider the choan, “Die before dying.” What is it that dies lives in two different dimensions. The advice begins with the need for the ego die. I don’t know what dimension the ego exists on; not the Third/Fourth Dimension anyways.
The advice continues that the ego die before the physical body dies. (1) The physical body does exist on the Third/Fourth so we are mixing dimensions here.
Not until we pop with realization or solve the problem logically do we unlock its meaning.
Many non-dualists speak from the Absolute level, without identifying that they are. When we have trouble applying their advice to the Relative without making the distinction between planes of life, we end up frustrated. And we don’t know why. (2)
Life for me becomes less confusing if I translate comments people make into the dimension of their applicability.
Footnotes
(1) Prevailing enlightenment theory has been that we need to experience enlightenment in the physical body for it to result in liberation. Obviously this generation is clearing a new path for Ascension – or liberation – while in the physical body.
(2) The Absolute is obviously beyond the dimensions or planes of life.